Everything You Need To Know Residential Solar Power

Residential Solar Power In Murrieta Homes

Residential-Solar-PowerResidential solar power is becoming more popular every day because it can help you save a significant amount of money on your energy bill every month. One of the reasons that residential solar power is a good idea for a lot of people is because once you get it installed, it is pretty much maintenance free.

As we all know, most days in Murrieta have an abundance of direct sunshine, and, as a result, residential solar power is well suited for most homes in our area. Increase the value of your home, the financial benefits of a residential solar power are extensive, it also enables you to have significant financial investment returns and increase the value of your home.

The benefits of residential solar power are obvious energy from the sun is endless, it provides clean energy without emitting greenhouses gases and by reducing pollution, it can also save people from high electricity bills.

Residential Solar Power: The Basics

People have many reasons for switching to solar power, from rising electricity consumption and energy costs to growing concerns about the environment. Regardless of why you want to install a solar system on your residential or commercial property, there are numerous factors to consider before making a final decision. To ensure you’re as knowledgeable as possible when going through the process, consider the following tips and information:

Make sure you understand your utility company’s rates. In many areas, there are different “tiers” of usage and each has a different formula to calculate cost. Higher energy usage tiers have higher rates. In these schemes, you pay more as your energy demands increase. In the Bay Area, the typical monthly PG&E bill is around $90, but when your monthly bill exceeds $237, you’re at “Tier 5” and pay higher rates. However, when you switch to solar power with PG&E as your utility, it removes the top tiers from the cost formula. Therefore, the more you currently spend on electricity, the higher the ROI (return on investment) you’ll enjoy on an installed solar system. Read more here.

The most common solar cells used in residential solar power are crystalline silicon cells. Solar panels used to generate residential solar power are usually mounted on walls or roofs. Unsubsidized solar power will become cheaper with battery storage, achieving payback periods of little more than 10 years by 2020.

The Changing Face of the Residential Solar Customer

As a residential solar company, one of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that solar panels are only for the wealthy. Early solar systems were expensive to manufacture and install. As a result, early adopters of solar power had higher incomes in to afford the high expense.  Thanks to a range of factors, however, that circumstance has changed quickly. The new reality is that the vast majority of our clients are now middle-income wage earners, living in neighborhoods where the median income does not exceed six figures.

According to the Center for American Progress, more than 1,460 MW of residential solar installations have been installed across the country since 2000, with more than 80% of that capacity added in the past four years. The majority of these homeowners have annual incomes ranging from $40,000 to $90,000. These statistics are the result of variables that include new financing models and declining costs that all have led to this shift in residential solar demographics. Read full article here.

A report from IDC Energy Insights indicated that residential solar power will double in the next year as more companies begin leasing out these services and power purchase agreements to property owners. While past residential solar systems have been bulky and expensive, new technologies in residential solar power have made installations profitable in many locations across the United States.

Are Home Solar Systems Worth the Price?

Here are some general factors to consider, though you should contact a specialist to understand costs, efficiencies, and tax incentives specific to your home.

Cost of home solar systems

The price of solar has plummeted in recent years. These decreases were mostly due to sharp declines in the price of photovoltaic (PV) panels. “Soft costs” such as installation labor and inspections have also fallen, but they currently make up around 64 percent of the total price of installation.

The federal government’s SunShot Initiative, launched in 2011, is helping to make solar more cost-competitive, in part by reducing soft costs. A new innovation program called SunShot Catalyst addresses those costs specifically.

Installation costs

The average cost of installation dropped by about 50 percent between 2008 and 2013, and fell an additional 5 to 12 percent in the first half of 2014.  Solar’s definitely gotten more affordable overall, but is it a practical solution for you? It depends on a number of factors, including:

  • How many hours of direct sunlight your home gets each day
  • The size of system your roof can accommodate
  • Whether your system will be stand-alone or attached to the grid
  • Local permit requirements

See more here.

The Benefits Of Residential Solar Power Are Obvious

The fact is that there are many benefits that residential solar power can provide homeowners with, many of which homeowners may not have previously considered. The true benefits of solar power vary depending on what it is being used for, the level of consumption, and the expectations of the homeowner. There is a general benefit that affects us all: decreased pollution from decreased use of utility power. Electricity, natural gas, and propane all produce pollution at varying degrees.

Residential Homes certainly have a lot to gain from going solar in Murrieta. If you haven’t yet made up your mind on what type of installation to get, you may give us a call and we can schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists. Call: (951) 805-1262.

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